A couple of OU students wander each week to a place many haven't gone to since junior high - a skating rink.

No, they're not reliving their childhood by boogie skating to "Another One Bites the Dust." A disco ball does hang prominently in the center of the Skate Arena's rink, but it is temporarily turned off.

These guys don't skate just for the fun of it. They come for the competition and camaraderie of roller hockey.


University college freshman Kyle Hurt and visual communications sophomore Billy Manthey play in the Skate Arena Roller Hockey League but have little else in common.

Hurt, nearly 6-feet-2-inches tall and 200 pounds, looks anything but a menacing figure. With a crew cut and a childlike face, this man plays a clean game.

"I was a hothead at first. I hung out with some of the other guys. They calmed me down," Hurt said.

Skillfully skating and wearing his white No. 25 hockey jersey, Hurt prepares for the upcoming game. As he takes a practice shot he looks toward his parents who often sit in the crowd.

Roller hockey is a noncontact sport but Hurt realizes that some people play rough.

"Some guys try to hurt people," Hurt said.

Although it would be unfair to say Manthey would try to inflict pain, it is clear that roller hockey is more that a game to him.

With a jet-black hockey jersey, earring, shoulder-length hair and a devilish grin, Manthey said the most important goal was to "win championships, definitely."

Manthey started playing ice hockey soon after he could walk.

About four years ago, he started playing roller hockey but brought some ice hockey traits with him.

"Ice hockey players are much more aggressive," he said. "You have to be able to skate, but more importantly, you need to be aggressive, mean, rough and have no fear. No fear at all. Some people try to soften the sport. Fighting
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